As stated by Spokesperson Ned Price:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong in Honolulu. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Chung reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-ROK Alliance in tackling today's most pressing global challenges and ensuring a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. They highlighted our shared commitment to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, including through the KORUS Global Vaccine Partnership. They also affirmed bilateral cooperation in this decisive decade for action to combat the climate crisis.
The Secretary and Foreign Minister condemned the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) recent ballistic missile launches, which were in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, and reaffirmed openness to diplomacy and dialogue with the DPRK. The Secretary also emphasized close cooperation with the Republic of Korea and other allies and partners towards the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to the defense of the ROK. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed the need to deepen trilateral cooperation with Japan as we work together to address our shared challenges. On Burma, the Secretary stressed the importance of working with international partners to address human rights abuses and press the regime to cease the violence, release all those unjustly detained, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and restore Burma's path to democracy. Secretary Blinken also shared concerns about Russia's efforts to destabilize Ukraine and emphasized the importance of responding swiftly, effectively, and in a united way to further Russian aggression.
